We recently hosted an online event for early career researchers focussed on alternative research careers. Speakers were invited who began their careers in academia and had gone on to work in other sectors. They shared their experiences of moving to an alternative research career and gave tips on how to approach the transition.
Speakers included:
- Oliver Culley – Cell Scientist – Abcam
- Evan Campbell – Lead Health Services Researcher – Healthcare Improvement Scotland
- Belinda Thompson – Research Manager – Medical Research Foundation
- Tim Shakespeare – Research Acceleration Lead – Zinc
- Aida Suarez Gonzalez – UKRI Zinc Healthy Ageing Catalyst award holder
A huge thank you to our speakers and to all who attended. If you missed the event, the recording is available on YouTube and you can also access the transcript.
Following on from our event, the Trust is offering early career researchers who are currently, or have been previously, funded by the Trust the chance to attend the Quick Switch – Industry engagement essentials course run by Code-Switch consultants.
The Quick Switch course comprises four interactive sessions in a one-day intensive workshop delivered by three facilitators and additional expert guest speakers. The sessions are:
- Researching for Industry through Consultancy
- Knowledge Exchange and Industry Skills in Academia
- Future-proof your Career with Project Management Skills
- Equip Yourself to take the Leap outside Academia
By the end of this workshop, you will understand and gain skills in:
- Research consultancy as an alternative to academia and how to deliver it
- The value of project management in current/future job markets, key project management principles, approaches and tools
- The importance of knowledge exchange and impact, how to achieve and measure them
- The currency of your existing skills, current skills gaps in terms of employability, and how to address them
- The next steps for finding the right jobs outside academia
If you are interested in taking part, please fill out and submit this short expression of interest form by Friday 2nd December. If eligible you will be entered into a draw and winners will be selected at random for a place on the course.
We will be liaising with those who are selected regarding the date of the course, but it is likely to take place in early 2023. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]